Numerical Evaluation of the Elastic Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Material at Elevated and Lowered Temperatures

The effect of elevated and lowered temperatures on the elastic properties of carbon fiber-epoxy composite material was studied using multi-phase unit cell (MPUC) numerical model. Evaluation of the elastic properties of carbon fiber-epoxy composite material is based on the finite element method. Obtained results confirmed that elevated and lowered temperature has noticeable influence on elastic properties of carbon fiber-epoxy composite material. As demonstrated, this fact has considerable influence on accurate evaluation of generated thermal stresses in real laminated composite structures, exposed to extremely high or low operating temperatures.